[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 242 (Thursday, December 17, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69637-69638]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-33426]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Health Care Financing Administration
[Document Identifier: HCFA-R-205 & HCFA-R-206]
Emergency Clearance: Public Information Collection Requirements
Submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
AGENCY: Health Care Financing Administration, HHS.
In compliance with the requirement of section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Health Care Financing
Administration (HCFA), Department of Health and Human Services, is
publishing the following summary of proposed collections for public
comment. Interested persons are invited to send comments regarding this
burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information,
including any of the following subjects: (1) The necessity and utility
of the proposed information collection for the proper performance of
the agency's functions; (2) the accuracy of the estimated burden; (3)
ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to
be collected; and (4) the use of automated collection techniques or
other forms of information technology to minimize the information
collection burden.
We are, however, requesting an emergency review of the Information
collections referenced below. In compliance with the requirement of
section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we have
submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) the following
requirements for emergency review. We are requesting an emergency
review because the collection of this information is needed before the
expiration of the normal time limits under OMB's regulations at 5 CFR,
Part 1320. This is necessary to ensure compliance with section 111 of
HIPAA necessary to implement congressional intent with respect to
guaranteeing availability of individual health insurance coverage to
certain individuals with prior group coverage. We cannot reasonably
comply with the normal clearance procedures because public harm is
likely to result because eligible individuals will not receive the
health insurance protections under the statute.
HCFA is requesting OMB review and approval of this collection by
12/31/98, with a 180-day approval period. Written comments and
recommendations will be accepted from the public if received by the
individuals designated below by 12/29/98. During this 180-day period,
we will publish a separate Federal Register notice announcing the
initiation of an extensive 60-day agency review and public comment
period on these requirements. We will submit the requirements for OMB
review and an extension of this emergency approval.
(1) Type of Information Collection Request: Revision of a currently
approved collection;
Title of Information Collection: Information Collection
Requirements Referenced in HIPAA for the Individual Market and
Supporting Regulations in 45 CFR Section 148;
Form No.: HCFA-R-205 (OMB# 0938-0703);
Use: These information collection requirements help ensure access
to the individual insurance market for certain individuals and allows
the States to implement their own program to meet the HIPAA
requirements for access to the individual market. The information
collection requirements outlined in this document are necessary for
issuers and States to ensure individuals receive protection under
section 111 of HIPAA.
Frequency: On occasion;
Affected Public: Business or other for-profit, Individuals or
Households, Not-for-profit institutions, Federal Government, and State,
Local or Tribal Government;
Number of Respondents: 1,365;
Total Annual Responses: 3,000,000;
Total Annual Hours: 670,000.
(2) Type of Information Collection Request: Revision of a currently
approved collection;
Title of Information Collection: Information Collection
Requirements Referenced in HIPAA for the Group Market and Supporting
Regulations in 45 CFR Section 146;
Form No.: HCFA-R-206 (OMB# 0938-0702);
Use: This regulation and related information collection
requirements will ensure that group health plans provide individuals
with documentation necessary to demonstrate prior creditable coverage,
and the group health plans notify individuals of their special
enrollment rights in the group health insurance market.
Frequency: On occasion;
Affected Public: Business or other for-profit, Individuals or
Households, Not-for-profit institutions, Federal Government, and State,
Local or Tribal Government;
Number of Respondents: 2,400;
Total Annual Responses: 43,268,400;
Total Annual Hours: 2,561,200.
To obtain copies of the supporting statement and any related forms
for the proposed paperwork collections referenced above, access HCFA's
Web Site address at http://www.hcfa.gov/regs/prdact95.htm, or E-mail
your request, including your address, phone number, to
P[email protected], or call the Reports Clearance Office on (410) 786-
1326.
Interested persons are invited to send comments regarding the
burden or any other aspect of these collections of Information
requirements. However, as noted above, comments on these Information
collection and recordkeeping requirements must be mailed and/or faxed
to the designees referenced below, by 12/29/98:
Health Care Financing Administration, Office of Information Services,
Security and Standards Group, Division of HCFA Enterprise Standards,
Attention: Dawn Willinghan, Room N2-14-26, 7500 Security Boulevard,
Baltimore, Maryland 21244-1850
and
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and
Budget, Room 10235, New Executive Office Building, Washington, DC
20503, Fax Number: (202) 395-6974 or (202) 395-5167, Attn: Allison
Herron Eydt, HCFA Desk Officer.
[[Page 69638]]
Dated: December 7, 1998.
John P. Burke III,
HCFA Reports Clearance Officer, HCFA Office of Information Services
Security and Standards Group, Dvision of HCFA Enterprise Standards.
[FR Doc. 98-33426 Filed 12-16-98; 8:45 am]
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